Pedestrian Dies After Being Hit by Truck, Panama City Police Department Investigating.
A tragic accident in Pine Creek has left one pedestrian dead after being struck by a truck on Wednesday evening. The Pine Creek Police Department (PCPD) confirmed they are actively investigating the incident, which occurred near the intersection of Main Street and 5th Avenue around 6:45 p.m.
According to PCPD officials, emergency services were dispatched to the scene following multiple 911 calls reporting a pedestrian being hit by a large commercial vehicle. Upon arrival, first responders found a male victim, later identified as a 47-year-old Pine Creek resident, unresponsive. Despite life-saving efforts at the scene, the individual was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
The driver of the truck, a 62-year-old man from neighboring Silverton, remained at the scene and is cooperating fully with the investigation. Authorities have not released his name, and no charges have been filed at this time.
“We’re in the early stages of the investigation,” said PCPD Sgt. Elaine Porter in a press briefing Thursday morning. “We are reviewing traffic camera footage, speaking to witnesses, and conducting a thorough reconstruction of the scene to determine exactly what happened.”
Sgt. Porter also stated that neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be factors in the incident, though toxicology reports are pending as part of standard procedure.
The victim was reportedly crossing the street at a marked crosswalk when the truck made a right turn onto Main Street. Preliminary findings suggest the driver may not have seen the pedestrian due to limited visibility or other yet-unknown factors.
Local residents expressed concern about safety in the area, noting that the intersection has been a frequent site of near-misses. “That corner is dangerous. Cars turn fast and don’t always yield to people crossing,” said Maria Jennings, who lives nearby.
The city’s Public Works Department confirmed it has received previous complaints about visibility and signage at the intersection, and a review of the area’s safety measures is now underway.
The name of the victim has not been released, pending notification of next of kin.
The PCPD is asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident or has dashcam footage from the area around the time of the incident to contact the department’s Traffic Division at (555) 014-9823.
As the investigation continues, community members are mourning the loss and calling for improved pedestrian safety measures throughout the town.
